PACS
Pronunciation: PAKS
Also written as: PACS — Picture Archiving and Communication System
Picture Archiving and Communication System - digital imaging technology for storing and accessing medical images.
Full Definition
Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is a medical imaging technology that provides economical storage, retrieval, management, distribution, and presentation of medical images. PACS eliminates the need for manually filing, retrieving, and transporting film jackets. The system typically consists of imaging modalities, a secure network for data transmission, workstations for interpreting and reviewing images, and archives for storing and retrieving images and reports. In neuroradiology, PACS enables rapid access to prior studies for comparison and facilitates consultation between radiologists and referring physicians.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalized as it is an acronym; avoid lowercase 'pacs'.
In Context
- "Please compare with the prior MRI available on PACS from six months ago." — Radiology report instruction
- "The PACS workstation allows for advanced post-processing of the neuroimaging data." — Technical documentation